Tobacco Products Labelling Regulations (Cigarettes and Little Cigars)

Health Canada is proposing new Tobacco Products Labelling Regulations (Cigarettes and Little Cigars) (TPLR-CLC) that would replace the current labelling requirements for cigarettes and little cigars.

The Tobacco Products Information Regulations (TPIR), adopted under the authority of the Tobacco Act in 2000, establishes the current requirements for the health-related information that must be displayed on tobacco products sold in Canada. It includes health warning messages, health information messages and information about their toxic emissions or constituents. Research has shown that while these messages were effective in raising awareness of the health effects associated with tobacco use, they have reached their maximum potential.

The proposed TPLR-CLC would build on the achievements of the TPIR and would require the display of 16 new health warning messages, 8 health information messages, and 4 toxic emissions statements on cigarette and little cigar packages.

Key features of the proposed regulations include:

• new graphic health warning messages covering 75% of the front and back of cigarette and little cigar packages;
• new health information messages that are enhanced with the use of colour and graphic elements;
• a pan-Canadian toll-free quitline number and web portal to inform tobacco users about the availability of smoking cessation services, subject to provincial/territorial agreement; and
• easier-to-understand toxic emissions statements.

• Proposed New Messages

Public Consultations

Prepublication in Canada Gazette, Part I

The proposed  Tobacco Products Labelling Regulations - Cigarettes and Little Cigars and the associated Regulatory Impact Analysis Statement (RIAS) were prepublished in the Canada Gazette, Part I on February 19, 2011.

How to Get Involved

This consultation is open for comment starting February 19, 2011 until May 5, 2011. Please submit your comments via email, by fax or in writing to:

pregs@hc-sc.gc.ca

TPLR-CLC Consultations
Manager, Regulations Division
Office of Regulations and Compliance
Controlled Substances and Tobacco Directorate
Healthy Environments and Consumer Safety Branch
Health Canada
MacDonald Building, Address Locator: 3507C1
123 Slater Street
Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0K9

Fax: 613-941-1551

Interested parties may submit comments for consideration by Health Canada until May 5, 2011.

Additional Information

• Results of 2004 Preliminary Consultation on Tobacco Health-related Messages
• Current Tobacco Product Messages